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Roanoke couple launch online casual apparel business [The Roanoke Times, Va.](Roanoke Times (Roanoke, VA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 25--A heart for young adults and their fashion tastes have led Chris Stup and his wife, Nikki, into the world of online retailing. Last week, the Roanoke couple launched their own clothing brand and online business, selling T-shirts and hoodies that they hope will appeal to action-sports-oriented young adults. It's called Red Trii (pronounced "tree"). As an adjunct music instructor for more than nine years at James Madison University, Chris Stup observed a genre of young adults who dress casually and "want to see change in the world," he said. He calls them the echo boomer generation, which means they are the sons and daughters of baby boomers. He wanted to start a business that would appeal to their style, one that he described as similar to successful brands Roxy and Billabong. Chris Stup also is a musician, who directs the Music Lab at Jefferson Center. To him, the action sports and youth market parallel the music world. At www.redtrii.com, there is a small selection of men's and women's T-shirts and hoodies designed with the company's signature red tree logo. Women's hoodies are $42, long-sleeve shirts are $35 and short-sleeve styles are $25. From an office headquarters on Sixth Street, just west of downtown Roanoke, the Stups design the contemporary apparel, shipped from California and Florida. The printing is done by a local printer, Press Press Merch, in Roanoke. The Stups, who moved to Roanoke to be closer to family in the Southeast, spent about $6,000 to start the company. They're starting small with a light selection, to gauge response. They expect to build the online lineup with zip-up fleece hoodies and other shirts designs. Future products will be made of organic cotton and recyclable zippers. Chris Stup said he'd like to sell 100 shirts a week, though he acknowledged that he does not know what kind of response he'll receive. To market Red Trii products, the Stups plan to attend events that target the 12- to 25-year-old action sports demographic. Look for the couple at BMX championships, and surfing and wakeboarding competitions. The Stups have additional plans for Red Trii. In at least two years, they'd like to create a nonprofit entity with funds from the for-profit Red Trii. They'd like to hire people who are at-risk and need-based to help run the business, and receive personal training and guidance. Nikki Stup, who is earning a master's degree in counseling and works part time as a case manager, would head the nonprofit arm. Williamson Road watering holes update A local restaurateur and his business partner are reviving a vacant Williamson Road watering hole. Bill Kopcial, former owner of Ernie's in downtown Roanoke, plans to open Legends Sports Bar at 2816 Williamson Road, former home of Second Alarm. Mike Fielder is Kopcial's business partner in the venture. Second Alarm, a longtime bar and restaurant, left this maroon building late last month after the owner and former Roanoke fire captain, Gary Harris, decided not to sign a long-term lease. Kopcial, also a fire fighter, was Harris' original partner in Second Alarm when the business opened in 1979. When Kopcial learned recently that this Williamson Road structure would be available for lease, "this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up," he said. "I just like the challenges of starting places and getting them going good," Kopcial said. Kopcial and Fielder have a budget of about $100,000 to remodel the structure, with plans to add 12 flat-screen televisions, redesign the bar area and make other significant alterations. They're hoping to open Dec. 1. Meanwhile, Harris has relocated Second Alarm to 4806 Williamson Road, a former restaurant building across from Hooters. He reopened the bar and restaurant Oct. 16, and he's serving the same menu as in his previous location and hosting pool tournaments. Harris said many of details for his business' new location came together quickly. He signed a three- to five-year lease there and brought most of his employees with him. At 66 years old, Harris said that he considered retirement, but decided that he's not ready yet. "I just like having something to do," he said. News from the Storefront blog at blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/storefront/: n Still looking for a Halloween costume? Get ideas, and find out about Spirit Halloween, a mega Halloween store open through Oct. 31 in the former Circuit City space. n Plans for a new salon in downtown Roanoke, Polished by Claire V., are moving along. n Get money for using a reusable bag at CVS and Target. To see more of The Roanoke Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.roanoke.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Roanoke Times, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |